THE TRADITION OF LENT
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins. Its name comes from the old custom of being shriven, that is of confessing and receiving forgiveness, prior to the season of Lent. Shrove Tuesday comes at the end of a period of carnival and merrymaking in many countries and corresponds to the Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) of the French and Pancake Tuesday of the English. It represents the last feasting before the leaner days of Lent. (Carnival means “end of meat.”) So that no food will go to waste, the English make pancakes to use up the fats, eggs and cream that are not eaten during Lent. The German tradition was to use up the excess fats to make “fasnachts.” Mardi Gras celebrations typically include elaborate masks. These symbolize the “front” we sometimes show to others rather than the true self both we and God know.
With Ash Wednesday, we begin the period of Lent, which prepares us for Good
Friday and Easter. Traditionally the 40 days of Lent has been a time when Christians reexamine their spiritual lives. It is a time of “taking stock.” This year through our Wednesday services, we will reflect on the letters to the churches in the Book of Revelation and how their unfaithfulness is still repeated today in our congregational life. We will take stock of our life together.
There are many individual approaches to strengthening the spiritual life, including choosing to fast, praying, reading the Bible and devotional literature, engaging in public worship, and serving God in the world. Lent can be a time of deeper devotion and dedication to our walk of faith with God in Jesus Christ. Let us keep a holy Lent.
-Pastor Baum
Wednesday Lenten Services: We will gather on Wednesday evenings in Lent for a supper at 6:00 pm. Our worship service will begin at 7:00 pm. This year’s theme is “The Spirit Blowing Through the Church”
Feb 29 Art Grahe, pastor of St. Stephen’s UCC, York
Mar 7 Cathy Sherry, pastor of Mt.Zion UCC, York
Mar 14 Rick Stuempfle, pastor of Locust Grove UCC, York
Mar 21 Rob Brown, pastor of Grace UCC, York
Mar 28 Choir Festival at Faith UCC at 7:00 PM
The offerings on the Wednesdays in Lent will go toward our pledge to the Penn Central Conference 4 R Churches Campaign.
Holy Week Services:
April 1, 2012 Palm Sunday Service 10:30 AM
April 5, 2012 Maundy Thursday Supper and Holy Communion 6:00 PM
April 6, 2012 Good Friday Service 7:00 PM
April 8, 2012 Easter Morning Breakast - 8:45 AM
April 8, 2012 Easter Sunday - Service of Holy Communion 10:00 AM